"Choosing a favorite step in the five-step routine feels a bit like choosing a favorite child, which is impossible. But if I had to pick, I’d say I’m the moisturizer that solves everyone’s problems "
— Alie Mitchell—
Danucera Diaries
Entry 30:Alie Mitchell
Tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Alie Mitchell. I’m a mom of two and the owner of Social Life magazine, the premier luxury publication in the Hamptons. We’re celebrating 23 years in print this year, and I live full-time in the Hamptons
As someone who curates stories and brings people together, what does giving look like in your world beyond the holiday season?
The older I get, the more I realize that presence is the most meaningful gift, especially now, when we’re all moving a mile a minute and juggling so much. Time has become our most valuable currency. Giving someone your full attention, your energy, and your support feels priceless to me. During the holidays and throughout the year, that shows up in simple ways. Showing up for a friend’s event, calling to celebrate a win, grabbing a quick coffee, or sometimes just putting my phone down and being fully present.
Which step of the 5-Step Program is your personality: the calm balm cleanser, the disciplined tonic, or the moisturizer that solves everyone’s problems?
Alie: "Choosing a favorite step in the five-step routine feels a bit like choosing a favorite child, which is impossible. But if I had to pick, I’d say I’m the moisturizer that solves everyone’s problems. Not because I necessarily want to be, but because it comes with the territory of being a mom, a wife, and a business owner. You end up being the steady, reliable one everyone turns to. It’s snowing and freezing where I am right now, and having a rich, protective moisturizer has been a lifesaver. It’s the kind of step you can always count on, especially when your skin needs extra care in the colder month."
When you think about your relationship with your skin, what’s one belief Danucera has helped you unlearn… and one new one it’s helped you adopt?
Alie: "I used to dread taking off my makeup, and those long ten- or twelve-step routines felt impossible. I just never had the energy for them. Since finding Danucera, my routine is something I genuinely look forward to. After a full day of kids or work, a five-minute ritual feels completely manageable. I like to make it fun. I put on my favorite songs, sing along, and turn it into a little dance party. Sometimes I even share videos of my nightly Danucera routine."
Q: Is there a tradition with your family that captures the heart of the season for you?
Alie: My son was born on Christmas last year, so this season feels especially meaningful for us. We’re starting new traditions, and while I’m still figuring out what it looks like to celebrate a birthday and a holiday on the same day, I know we’ll be making it a little extra special
Q: The holidays can be magical and chaotic. As a mom, what do you hope your children remember most about this season?
Alie: A couple of years ago, we started doing Elf on the Shelf with my daughter. Her elf’s name is Ginger. If you know the rules, you can’t touch the elf or it loses its magic. But each year, we let her hold Ginger for one special day. Just this past weekend, she held the elf close to her heart and said, “When I hold this elf to my heart, I can feel the magic. That’s the feeling I hope she never forgets. That sense of wonder, closeness, and magic that makes this season so meaningful through a child’s eyes.
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Q: Finish this sentence: “I knew I made it when ________ asked me for skincare advice.”
Alie: "I want to say my daughter. She’s only five, so she’s not exactly asking me for skincare advice yet, but we have a weekly ritual together. We do a little spa night, and the first step is always Cerabalm. She loves using it with me. It’s become our shared moment of care and connection, and I love that it feels safe, simple, and universal enough to be something we can enjoy together. "
